The Road to Glory

On August 9th, 5 days after the featuring recording, [HALO’s 8th Album No one was there] is released.Coincidentally overlapping with the Premier League, HALO’s 8th album that excited football fans actually had nothing to do with football.Rather, HALO’s 8th album focused on another summer theme: ‘Horror’.The 8th album with its frightening illustrated cover had melodies reminiscent of children’s songs or ballads when heard alone, but the lyrics were not like that at all.The title track [(Title) No one was there], which is also the album’s title, was overall a horror poem reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’.However, while The Raven instills fear of the unknown beyond the door, HALO embodied the fear of disappearance and loss.A fireplace and warm blankets.Friendly conversation and cheerful laughter.A roasted turkey on the table, and a few candles.The warm and gentle dinner party stops with someone’s knock sound – implemented with dissonance.When the door is opened, there’s nothing outside. So when returning inside, the lyrics of the first title track were that everything that was inside had disappeared like a mirage.In fact, if you only looked at this much, there would have been speculative issues wondering if something had happened to HALO, like with the 7th album.However, exceptionally this time, there was one more title track in this 8th album. The double title [(Title) HOLY X DAY].[HOLY X DAY] humorously expresses horror clichés – a cursed doll waking up and preparing a meal in a house where a child is left alone, a ghost crawling out from under the blanket whispering “Good morning honey, it’s 9 AM Monday” – leading a cheerful atmosphere.This [HOLY X DAY] had more impact, to the point of overtaking the first title track and ranking #1 on all digital streaming platforms.[Oh The Sun!][Father, please embrace us warmly][Looking at the lyrics, did they go dark because of football? Is “nothing was there” referring to the championship cup?][Is The Sun perhaps Man···?]└ chester!└ Only The Sun knows The Sun’s path, but that’s not it…[Iloveyoubabyiloveyoubabyiloveyoubabyiloveyoubaby]└ This one’s been like this for months└ Female?└ …Whether female or male, both are scary└ When I listen to The Sun’s songs I think this might be heaven, but seeing bastards like this it just seems like hell└ So these are the guys who smash cars and set fires when fake Halos appear, right?[Exploring HALO’s music – Rebellious and resistant avant-garde, realization of ideas using metaphors, reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’-]└ What’s that mean└ Dunno lol. Even the critic who wrote this probably doesn’t know what they meant└ Basically it’s awesome└ Ah I understood it the same way└ Are critics only praising HALO?└ Among pop singers, HALO’s really the only one not getting criticized! But isn’t HALO among those criticized people?└ Critics would most want HALO’s identity not to be revealed lol. Otherwise karma will come right back at them.As always, praise.While fan praise is understandable, Halo crossed his arms looking at the critic’s review.To be honest, it seems to give him goosebumps. He just heard the name Edgar Allan Poe for the first time…How can reviews be so different when releasing the same song?Of course, there were critics who criticized HALO’s music as well. But they were only a minority, most tried to find artistry in his music somehow.While singers are also called artists, Halo, who had never thought of himself as doing some great art, felt chills from those fancy words.It seems even more so because he had never heard such words before.On the other hand, Roh Haeil’s reviews were different.The public and critics diverging was exactly how he imagined it would be. Even the way they got excited and spread rumors every time he was about to release an album was the same.The world is small and secrets eventually come to light.It’s surprising that people still haven’t recognized his name though. Other secrets were revealed early.He had unofficially recruited featuring artists, and was seen here and there sparsely, so it was only natural.[Roh Haeil currently producing a full-length album?]Information that singer-songwriter Roh Haeil is producing a full-length album is rapidly spreading online. The main evidence is-.Rumors that he is making a full-length album.And the news that his music this time is rock, not acoustic or ballad, spread quickly as well.[So he’s really working on music whenever he’s not seen][Moon’s first full-length album!!!][You journalist bastard, what do you mean when you say comeback, huh?][Other singers barely make a comeback in a year, but Roh Haeil’s had three comebacks including his debut, and seeing it’s still August, four might be possible wtf]Up to here the reactions were moderate, but there were people beating drums and gongs about this genre.[Roh Haeil doing rock???][He was really called a genius but has he gone art-crazy?][Isn’t it made by Sin Joohyeok?][Roh Haeil and rock really don’t match…][For real, Roh Haeil’s famous for not writing English lyrics, but is rock possible without English lyrics?]It wasn’t just the general public’s reaction.[Excessive greed leads to bad endings. Wouldn’t it be better to just do his own music?]Critics who were preemptively criticizing that he would self-replicate and[Did I see wrong? Rock???][Moon doing rock…?]The fandom also expressed worry and concern.Of course, Roh Haeil hasn’t shown nothing.He once did song swapping with Sin Joohyeok on his first and last radio broadcast.At that time, Roh Haeil arranged and charmingly pulled off Sin Joohyeok’s rock song [Session 33].Also, there’s talk about what genre [Song of a Hero] is, but art pop and pop rock are genres that are never left out.[HALO’s 4th album] arranged by Roh Haeil is the same.However, these three songs had something in common.They can’t be seen as completely composed by Roh Haeil. Especially Sin Joohyeok’s [Session 33] and [HALO’s 4th album] were arrangements, and while [Song of a Hero] is Roh Haeil’s own composition, it was a co-composition with rock and pop music master Hwang Ryongpil also listed as a composer.While the composition process was revealed on the broadcast, it was only a part, and most believed Hwang Ryongpil made most of it.Well, this time it could be a co-composition too, and he could receive producing or arranging.However, it’s also an important issue that Roh Haeil hasn’t listed any other names for composition, lyrics, and arrangement except for [Song of a Hero] until now.Inductively, there’s a high chance it will be the same this time.In fact, fans were very proud that no other names appeared in Roh Haeil’s album information.Composition, lyrics, arrangement Roh Haeil.How concise and cool is this.Moreover, all album tracks were like this.Originally, many names are listed for composition, lyrics, and arrangement. Numerous composers’ names were listed in album information in the process of creating songs by breaking them down into melody lines, hooks, choruses, bridges, etc.Even for self-composed songs, there are always arrangers, and co-compositions are common.The 21st century where collaboration has developed. This rule will be broken someday, but for now fans were proud of the present.So they didn’t think that characteristic would become poison.[They’ll probably tear him apart if Moon’s performance is just a little bad][Seeing how many antis Moon has these days, 100%][Come on, what singer has had all their albums succeed?][How great were they at 17 to tear him apart]What they’re worried about is the slump if the performance isn’t good. But the biggest reason is that the crazed antis these days will bite, tear, taste, and enjoy their singer.[I wish the agency would at least respond]There are already more than a few posts saying the song will fail.They wish they would block all the antis and malicious posts, but Roh Haeil was still silent.Just like the news of his full-length album.#Meanwhile, at Samseong Station where many office workers come and go.What unusually came to the giant screen in the center of the COEX building instead of K-pop, movie, or game ads was an ad for a luxury brand.It was an ad more likely to be on television than the COEX screen, but no one thought it was strange.A man enjoys revelry while exuding an attractive scent. Alcohol, hazy smoke, and a party.While a sensual beauty turns to look at him and reaches out her hand, the melody of [Like a Heroin], the title track from HALO’s 5th album ADDICTION, could be heard.The bodies of the man and woman overlap and fade to black.A phrase appeared against a deep blue background.We will find youFor glory“Wow…”A woman who stopped on the street to watch the ad exclaimed.The woman in casual summer business attire slowly raised her phone to search for the perfume.It was a luxury brand C’s men’s perfume targeting men in their 30s and 40s, named ‘For glory‘. It’s an expensive perfume with a heavy and subtle masculine scent.Moon Seoyeon, who was scrolling down her phone with no one to gift it to, gaped at an article.The ad that just came on the COEX screen wasn’t only showing in Korea.It was playing on screens all over the world. Times Square in the US, Dotonbori in Japan, landmarks around the world!They had put up the ad to deliver their message to someone.There’s no need to guess who it is.That one phrase ‘glory’ was enough.“So cool. Our boss…”Moon Seoyeon, who inadvertently let out an exclamation, quickly covered her mouth with both hands.‘D-did anyone hear?’She looked around like a criminal.Fortunately, no one had paid close attention to her words.Rather, they just looked at her strangely for suddenly looking around. Moon Seoyeon started walking to the meeting place again, feeling embarrassed.“Oh my, Seoyeon?”“Seoyeon, have you been well?”“Hi everyone. Long time no see.”Moon Seoyeon waved her hand.Her old classmates from Korea National University of Arts were there.The reason the practice bug, Moon Seoyeon, had left the studio was to meet them and congratulate a friend who had a recital scheduled.“I heard you’ve been doing well lately, Seoyeon?”“Yeah. I heard you joined Roh Haeil’s band. I saw an article.”Her friends greeted her with bright faces as soon as they saw her. Quite a lot seemed to be known. If the kids know, it must be known all over the school.Moon Seoyeon sat down with a laugh.And handed flowers to the elegant woman sitting across from her.“Congratulations on your recital, Sua.”Sua was one of the close friends she made in college.Eating together, pulling all-nighters, studying. They used to do that. Moon Seoyeon smiled faintly recalling those times.“Thank you for coming, Seoyeon. I really missed you.”Sua also welcomed her warmly.It wasn’t awkward even though they were meeting after a long time.But a wall could be felt. It’s natural, since they met after a long time and their paths had completely diverged.Sua handed out recital tickets, and Moon Seoyeon looked at the location written on the ticket.Wow, you’ve made it. Her admiration deepened Sua’s shy smile.“Sua, I’ll definitely come see your recital.”“To have a recital at the Seoul Arts Center. You’re really amazing.”“No, everyone. I was just lucky.”Sua replied shyly.“And if Seoyeon hadn’t quit, this spot wouldn’t have been mine.”“…Uh.”Moon Seoyeon hesitated, and the others stopped talking for a moment. As the atmosphere suddenly froze, Sua clasped her hands together.“I didn’t mean to be sarcastic. Seoyeon, did I hurt your feelings? I’m sorry.”“…No.”It was actually a bit uncomfortable, but Moon Seoyeon changed her mind. It didn’t seem intentional, and she felt she should let it go since Sua was living a happy life.Isn’t it a good day?“Hey, you would have performed even if I was there. Have confidence.”“Thanks, that’s our Seoyeon. Oh, …guys, I need to use the restroom for a moment.”Sua looked at her phone and got up.As she walked away, the others waved saying “Come back soon” and then pounced on Moon Seoyeon again.“So Seoyeon, what’s Roh Haeil like?”“I was so curious.”“He seemed to have a strong ego on TV, is he really like that?”“But he was kind of charming.”They asked about her boss with sparkling eyes.Moon Seoyeon took it calmly, as it was a familiar occurrence.While waiting for Sua like that for a while, someone suddenly said:“But Seoyeon. Isn’t it a shame to just be a session musician?”“Huh?”“You said you wanted to compose.”Another friend chimed in to the first friend’s words.“Yeah, didn’t you say you quit school because you wanted to compose?”“If it wasn’t for that, you really could have been in Sua’s place. You were better than Sua, honestly.”“…Everyone. Didn’t we come to congratulate Sua?”She didn’t say anything, but why does she feel guilty? Moon Seoyeon glanced at the restroom Sua went to and asked the others.“Well, so what. Sua said that too.”“Of course we came to congratulate her.”“We’re just worried about you. To us, you shouldn’t remain as just a session musician, it’s a shame.”“That’s right, you even dropped out of school saying you’d achieve your dream.”The friends started talking about how busy and low-paying being a session musician is, looking at each other. They excitedly talked about some evil artist who doesn’t even allow individual activities.Moon Seoyeon felt increasingly tired.Nam Gyuhwan said he’d buy Papa John’s.She thought she should go back before that pig eats it all. She just came to say hello anyway, there’s nothing more to say.“Everyone, no need to feel sorry for me. I’m really happy right now.”For now, Moon Seoyeon smiled brightly so the nosy kids wouldn’t worry. She could smile brightly anytime because she was actually happy.“I’m learning a lot from my boss, and I’m steadily composing too. I’m 200% satisfied, so don’t worry.”At those words, the others all closed their mouths as if they had nothing to say, then looked at each other and smiled.“Really? That’s good then.”“That’s great. You met a good boss.”“It’s good that you’re composing too. I’ll definitely buy your album when it comes out someday.”These well-wishes were enough.Moon Seoyeon, who was heading to the subway station after parting with her friends, was walking with clicking heels when she suddenly stopped.Turning her head, she could see the perfume ad.We will find you for glory.It was still a cool phrase.“Honestly…”Moon Seoyeon chewed on her lips.“…I’m envious.”As the words inside came out, Moon Seoyeon was startled and covered her mouth.But words that had already escaped couldn’t be swallowed back, and returned to her ears as sound.“No. I like being with the boss. I really like it.”This is also what’s inside.Moon Seoyeon was too happy as a band session musician currently.The cool and admirable boss.The noisy but fun session members.A pleasant environment and a stable bank account.Everything was perfect, but.Just vaguely.She thought she wanted to live as composer Moon Seoyeon too, even if not as much as the boss.“I’ve already succeeded… but I want to be more succeed.”This was her most honest feeling.#Time passed.One week from the day HALO’s 8th album was released.Roh Haeil’s first full-length album [MY World] was released simultaneously offline and online.Hi everyone, I've fully translated this series. If you love the series and wanted to binge read until the end, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. Instead of buying the advanced chapters one by one, you can buy them in one bulk (with discounted price too)!